Ike Turner died Wednesday at the age 76 at his home in San Diego. He was an innovative guitarist, a rock 'n' roll pioneer who recorded, along with his formal wife Tina, hits like "A Fool in Love," "Proud Mary" and "River Deep, Mountain High."

The announcement was made by his wife, Jeanette Bazzell Turner, to the New York Times. The cause of his death wasn’t mentioned, but she said that he suffered from emphysema.

After his marriage with Tina ended in 1976, Ike’s carrier never revived until 2001 when he released his solo album “Here and Now” that received a Grammy nomination.

Ike along with his friends, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino, made one of the firsts transitions from Blues to R&B Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

He was born on November 1931 in Clarksdale, Miss., as Ike Wister Turner, Jr. His first encounter with the music world started with him playing the piano. At the age of eight he already had a job at a local radio station WROX, Bet.com informs.

In his teen years he was the lead of some bands that were inspired by blues pioneers like Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

In the late ‘40s he formed Kings of Rhythm with witch he will record his first success.

Their first song “Rocket 88” is regarded as the first rock 'n' roll recording, although the single was released under the name of Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, because it featured the vocals of band’s saxophonist Jackie Brenston.

During this time Ike will switch from piano to guitar.

Ike’s breakthrough happened in 1958 when he met Annie Mae Bullock in St Louis. He renamed her Tina and the group became the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

Together they released hits like “Proud Mary(1971), “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine”(1961) and “River Deep – Mountain High” (1966).

Tina left Ike in 1976 after years of suffering from physical, emotional and mental abuse.

Tina moved on and had a successful career in music. In her book “I, Tina” she talked about Ike’s abuses.

After he was left by Tina, Ike sunk in years of alcohol and drug abuse.

He had two solo albums “I’m Tore Up” (1978) and “Hey Hey” (1984) but no success was recorded.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s he spent months in jail for drug and weapon possession. In 1991, when he and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was also in jail.

In a recent interview with jet magazine Ike said that he regretted the harm he had caused Tina. He said: "If I owe anybody an apology, that would be Tina. I put her through hell with other women. I regret it today, but I can't undo it," DPA reports.

This year he won the Grammy Award with his album “Rising with the Blues” for best traditional blues album.